But I Can't Do That ...

By Andrea Merrell

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

It’s remarkable what we think we can’t do until we have to.

Looking back over the years, I’m reminded of all the things I thought I would never master. Everything from learning to use chopsticks to driving a stick-shift to operating a computer. It seems, as they say, practice makes perfect. Well, maybe not perfect but certainly better.

Now, as a lifetime, bona fide, right-handed chick, my left hand is learning to pick up the slack because of a right shoulder issue. You don’t realize how challenged you are until you have to eat, stir, reach, and lift with the opposite appendage. I haven't had to write with my left hand (yet), but I did do some left-handed painting this past weekend. It's a little like a baby learning to walk ... lots of falls and getting back up.

My husband tells me I can do whatever I set my mind to. And the Bible tells me I can do all things through Christ. That means, when I trust Him, He gives me the strength for whatever task I might face. The Message puts it this way: Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

It’s easy to grumble and complain when we deal with any type of handicap—whether temporary or permanent—but I realize how blessed I am when I see videos of mothers with no arms changing diapers with their feet, babies with no arms feeding themselves with their feet, and athletes with no legs doing amazing exploits.

If you’re facing a difficulty and think you can’t, call on the One who can. He will empower you and give you whatever you need to get the job done.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Master Isolated Images.)

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If you’re facing a difficulty and think you can’t, call on the One who can. He will empower you and give you whatever you need to get the job done. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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To Do or Not To Do ... Is That Even a Question?

By Andrea Merrell

God expects us to lay our burdens at His feet. Cast all our care on Him. Give Him everything.

Everything? Okay, here goes.

Lord, I pray, I give you my all … spirit, soul, and body. All that I am, all I have, all my hopes and dreams.

Then I go away from that prayer and realize there was something important in my pocket I forgot to give Him—my to-do list.

Being a recovering perfectionist, I can definitely be a little OCD with my lists and notes. Okay, a lot OCD. But I’m learning. In the past, I would present my long laundry-list of items (that desperately needed to be checked off) to God and ask Him to help me get them done. Not a bad idea at all. It’s really difficult to accomplish something without Him, especially if I want to do it well and on time.

But lately, I’ve learned a new concept. A pastor recently said we shouldn’t get up in the morning and present our list to God, asking Him to bless it. Our best plan for the day, according to him, was to tell God good morning, then ask what He would like for us to accomplish that day. Sounds like a great plan to me. Changed my whole perspective.

While it’s true God cares about everything that concerns us, even down to the smallest detail, He is more concerned about His plan and purpose for us … what He wants to accomplish in and through us.

What I’ve learned is that my day works much better when I allow God to create and prioritize my to-do list instead of trying to invoke His blessings on my own opinion of what needs to be done.

If you’re a list-maker like me, try it. You might be surprised how well the Father will order your day and how much you will accomplish.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles. )

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Give God your to-do list and see what happens. Better yet, let him create and prioritize it for you. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Relentless Love

By Andrea Merrell

The Lord is slow to anger 

and filled with unfailing love.

Numbers 14:18 NLT

Relentless. That was the only word that came to mind.

My husband and I generally avoid timeshare pitches, but this one seemed a good fit since we like to camp in our motor home. After the tour and a heavy-duty pitch, we turned down the $15,000 opportunity. Then the big boss came in and offered us the same opportunity for only $5,000. Needless to say, when we refused that offer as well, the folks at this establishment were not happy campers.

A few days later, I got an email saying another fantastic opportunity had just become available, and we could have the same package for only $1,000 plus a yearly fee. Amazing. From $15,000 down to $1,000 for the same amenities. Someone’s pocket would have been well-padded had we taken the original offer. This was months ago, and I still get an occasional email as they try to pull me in.

Relentless. Constant, incessant, persistent. Sounds like a bad thing, right? Like a drippy faucet. But it also means endless, unfailing, and unwavering—just like the love of God.

The Bible says God pursues us. He created us, formed us, gifted us, and gave us life. Thankfully, he is relentless in His pursuit. My heart is full to overflowing when I remember how God pursued me when I was determined to go my own way. That unfailing love surrounded me and wooed me back into His arms.

If you’re running from God, know that He is relentless in His pursuit of you.

 (Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and winnond.)

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Get into God’s Word and see yourself through His eyes. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

God's love for you is endless, unfailing , and unwavering ... relentless. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)  

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Childlike Faith

By Andrea Merrell

The Lord protects those of childlike faith.

Psalm 116:6 NLT

We met many years ago. I don’t even remember the woman’s name, but I will always remember her unwavering, childlike faith.

The woman (we’ll call her Doris) was a coworker who occupied the office next to mine in an accounting office. During the months we worked together, we were never what you would call close, but she was always anxious to share her prayer calendar with me.

Whenever Doris had a need, no matter how big or small, she would pray, asking God to meet that need, then write it on her calendar. If she needed forty-three dollars and fifty cents, that’s exactly what she asked for. When God met her need—which He always did—she would mark it on her calendar as “prayer answered.”

The Bible talks about childlike faith. I can see that trusting, unhindered faith in my granddaughters when I take their hand or promise to do something for them. They have no doubt I will do what I say.

Too many times, as Christians, our faith is childish instead of childlike. We want what we want when we want it … end of story. In 1 John 5:14-15 (MSG) we read:

And how bold and free we then become in His presence, freely asking according to His will, sure that He’s listening. And if we’re confident that He’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

This verse has so much to say to us about how God operates. First, He expects us to come boldly into His presence, asking freely—not out of compulsion or obligation—for whatever we need. The key is in asking according to His will. When we do, we can be assured He is listening and that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

God is our provider. He is our Father. We should be as confident as a child when we ask for what we need and then place our hand in His.

Are you operating in childlike faith?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and David Castillo Dominici.)

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Are you operating in childLIKE faith or childISH faith? via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Are You a Grace-Giver?

By Andrea Merrell

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. 

Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37 NIV

The first thought that shot through my mind when I saw the girl was, do you even own a mirror?

The next was maybe that’s the best she has. Then, maybe no one ever taught her how to dress properly and modestly. And finally, maybe she’s starved for attention and this is all she knows to do. Pray for her.

Ouch! I quickly repented of my critical attitude.

My grandparents always told me not to judge, make fun of, or look down on anyone. “Except for the grace of God, that could be you,” they said.

The Bible says “judge not.” Why? In order that we won’t be judged in return. So, how do we overcome a judgmental attitude and a critical spirit? By extending grace.

The truth is everyone messes up. But when we set high, unrealistic standards for others to live up to, we set them up for failure—at least in our own eyes. It’s that whole idea of removing a tiny splinter from another person’s eye when we have a stack of firewood in ours.

The Lord told Paul, “my grace is sufficient.” And it’s sufficient for us as well, both as the giver and the receiver. Pastor and author Bob Gass says, “When you take it upon yourself to condemn others, you are denying them the same grace you may need before the day is over.”

God gave freely so we might do the same. I need His grace, so I must extend it to others.

How about you? Are you a grace-giver?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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When you take it upon yourself to condemn others,you are denying them the same grace you may need before the day is over. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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